Teacher of the Blind and Visually Impaired FFS (35425)

Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center • Buffalo, NY

9d • $61 - $84 • Hybrid

About The Position

The TVI provides specialized instruction and support to infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children who are blind or have visual impairments to promoting access, development, and school readiness through individualized instruction and family-centered services. The TVI is responsible for designing and implementing lessons comprised of speech, language and readiness skills to encourage development in these areas. The teacher works as a member of a multidisciplinary team in developing and implementing goals for each child’s Individualized Education Plan.

Requirements

• Special Education Teacher behavioral competencies
• Strong ability to communicate verbally and in writing
• Strong collaboration skills
• Ability to learn on the job and change quickly as situations require
• Experience working with children from birth to age 5, preferably in early intervention or preschool settings.
• Knowledge of child development, visual impairments, and early intervention best practices.
• Ability to travel to homes, preschools, and other community-based settings as needed.
• Certification/licensure as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) or eligibility to obtain state certification.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with early intervention (Part C) and preschool special education (Part B).
• Proficiency in Braille, tactile graphics, and assistive technology for young children.
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct and consultative services to children with visual impairments in home-based and/or preschool settings, in alignment with IFSP and IEP goals.
• Evaluates each child in each area of skill development using formal and informal measures upon entrance into program and provides updates on a quarterly basis, including compiling comprehensive reports regarding children’s strengths and areas of need.
• Determine prognosis and appropriate treatment plan.
• Responsible for implementing site specific curriculum and plans classroom environment to encourage learning, independence and generalization of skills.
• Involvement in the design and implementation of goals and objectives toward development of age-appropriate skills for each child as indicated on each child’s IEP.
• Conduct functional vision assessments and learning media assessments to inform instruction and accommodations.
• Collaborate with families, caregivers, and interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement developmentally appropriate strategies that support the child’s growth.
• Meets with and shares information regarding educational strategies, techniques, and philosophies with classroom aides and/or personal / 1:1 aides.
• Responsible for facilitating weekly team meetings and classroom planning meetings (team leader) and acts as an active participant in CQI meetings, as schedule allows.
• Assists and collaborates with the multidisciplinary team for the program design and implementation, the carryover of individual therapy goals to the classroom (e.g., speech, OT, PT, etc.), using specific teaching and/or behavior management strategies.
• Responsible for modeling appropriate speech and language.
• Make appropriate referrals as needed to affect positive therapeutic results.
• Support the development of compensatory skills such as concept development, communication, orientation and mobility (in coordination with O&M specialists), and sensory efficiency.
• Modify and adapt materials, learning environments, and routines to ensure accessibility and inclusion.
• Coach and empower families with strategies to support their child’s development in natural environments.
• Maintain accurate records, progress notes, and documentation in compliance with local and federal guidelines.
• Submits highest quality written reports in a timely manner in accordance with compliance standards including, but not limited to, evaluation reports, treatment plans, log notes, progress reports, and discharge summaries as required by site or assignment.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, IFSP and IEP meetings, and professional development opportunities.
• Responsible, with other team members, for children’s supervision and safety.
• This position involves both home visits and preschool site visits, requiring travel within the service area.
• The TVI will work closely with families, early intervention providers, preschool staff, and other specialists.
• Completes other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level